LACK OF LONG-TERM DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS IN SPITE OF POOR GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN TWINS WITH PURE GONADAL-DYSGENESIS

BACKGROUND - The prepubertal years have little effect on the chronic complications of diabetes. Animal studies have shown castration prevents diabetic complications. No previous data on untreated agonadal human diabetic subjects is available. CASE HISTORY - Clinical study of untreated agonadal twins with insulin-dependent diabetes for presence of chronic complications of diabetes. In spite of the twins' poor glycemic control, no evidence of the chronic complications of diabetes was found. CONCLUSIONS - The absence of gonadal sex steroids in the diabetic patient may have a protective effect against the development of the chronic complications of diabetes.